“Self-Driving Cars” And The Potential To Reduce Vehicle Accidents

“Self-driving cars” (also referred to as “autonomous cars” ) have potential to significantly decrease car accidents as well as other vehicle accidents. Many of the benefits would be through the elimination of accidents that are caused by drunk drivers, “drugged drivers,” and distracted drivers. As well, other driver “errors” would no longer occur.

The Wall Street Journal published an article on June 26, 2017, titled “Can Auto Fatalities Go to Zero?” The article discusses various aspects of “self-driving cars,” including the potential reduction in traffic accidents as well as when self-driving vehicles may be widely adopted.

Notable excerpts include:

Human error plays a role in 94% of all traffic accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is why auto makers and regulators believe self-driving vehicles have the potential to be so transformative. Once driverless cars are on the roads in large numbers, they say, there will be no need for traffic lights because the vehicles will be able to communicate with each other to time when they go through the intersection. The cars will intuitively know what’s a safe speed to travel based on traffic and road conditions. And human errors such as failing to stop at a stop sign or mistakenly driving through a red light will become nonissues.

also:

Such promises are welcome news at a time when motor-vehicle fatalities are on the rise. The National Safety Council says there were 40,200 traffic fatalities in the U.S. last year, up 6% from 2015 and up 14% from 2014, the sharpest two-year escalation in more than a half-century. The nonprofit group says that while it is too early to pinpoint specific causes for the increase, speeding, drunken driving and texting while driving probably played a role.

also:

The problem is, while cars today are safer than they’ve ever been, people are driving distracted more than ever and feel comfortable texting and eating in their vehicles, says Dave Sullivan, an automotive analyst at AutoPacific Inc. “I think as long as humans are involved, we will always have accidents,” he says.

Should you be involved in a car accident, there are certain actions you should take in order to protect your rights. You should not assume – especially without proper legal representation – that you will receive appropriate compensation for your injuries, hardships and/or losses. To speak directly with a trial lawyer from Elman Law Group immediately, call (773) 392-8182 at any time. There is no fee for this consultation.